Blogging for the Gray Wolf

For over a decade the USFWS has said no to Wyoming’s brutal wolf slaughter plan, designed to exterminate wolves without mercy, treating them as vermin, to be shot-on-sight in most of the state.

In 2009 the Obama administration delisted wolves in the Northern Rockies but Wyoming wolves were excluded because the USFWS would not accept their “wolf management/slaughter plan”. Wyoming wolves remained under the protection of the ESA.

In response to the delisting a legal challenge was mounted by environmental groups and on August 5, 2010 Judge Donald Molloyrelisted wolves in the Northern Rockies. He stated the USFWS could not separate wolves by state for delisting. Either they strip wolves in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho of their ESA protections or they keep them all listed. Read his decision here.

A federal judge has ordered endangered species protections reinstated for the gray wolf in Montana and Idaho.

The federal government last year removed protections for wolves in those two states but not Wyoming. U.S. District Judge Donald Molloy says in his ruling Thursday the government’s decision was a political solution and does not comply with the federal Endangered Species Act.

Molloy says the entire Rocky Mountain wolf population must be either listed or removed as an endangered species, but the protections can’t be separated by state. (Wildlife and People)

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But now, as Idaho and Montana are busy slaughtering wolves, while USFWS watches, the agency has decided Wyoming’s shoot-on-site wolf plan is just perfect after all. The approx. 270 wolves who live outside Yellowstone can now be used for target practice, killed anytime of the day or night, without a permit. They can be run over by snowmobiles or ATV’s, hung from a tree, torn apart, set on fire or anything a sick mind can come up with. That’s the fate of Wyoming wolves. The cruel irony is one of the excuses given for killing so many wolves is Wyoming hunters accused wolves of decimating elk herds in the state but that’s been proven to be false. It was recently reported that many of Wyoming’s elk herds have grown so large extra licenses will be handed out to hunters to kill more elk. The hypocrites and their lies have been exposed!

Wyoming elk herds have grown too large

Wyoming Game and Fish Department offers extra elk licenses

Now that Wyoming has gained the authority to manage wolves and will soon have a wolf hunt, the much lamented lack of elk due to those “insatiable packs of killing machines” — wolves — has suddenly turned around and there are said to be too many elk . . . just like that.

Brian Nesvik, chief of the wildlife division for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department says “in many areas of the state, those herds have simply grown too large.” Therefore, the state has made an emergency order providing for an extra, reduced-price cow elk and elk calf license in some of the areas with too many elk. In fact, Game and Fish is trying so hard to get more hunting in the larger elk herds that they are offering special elk hunts on private lands. They are even encouraging elk hunters to buy three elk tags in some parts of the state.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department offers extra elk licenses

Graceful and majestic, elk are one of Wyoming’s icons. Large herds draw hunters, photographers and viewers from around the globe hoping to catch a glimpse of a bull’s huge rack and hear its roaring bugle.

But in many areas of the state, those herds have simply grown too large, said Brian Nesvik, chief of the wildlife division for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Game and Fish officials have tried recently to encourage hunting in the larger herds, even offering special elk hunts on private lands monitored by biologists. Department officials are going one step further this hunting season. Hunters can now buy three elk licenses in some areas.

Until this year, Wyoming state statute mandated each hunter could only hold two elk licenses. The Wyoming Legislature gave Game and Fish the ability to control elk license numbers during its last session. Wildlife officials made an emergency order in August offering an extra reduced-price cow and calf license in some of those overpopulated areas, Nesvik said.

We know the excuses for killing wolves in Wyoming and other states for that matter, are a sham. There is no reason to slaughter wolves. The propaganda campaign waged by the livestock and hunting cabals is just that, propaganda. It’s Kabuki Theater played out to justify the unjustifiable.

“Career professional in agency to assume duties immediately after a long series of Republican “holds” on his nomination

The Fish and Wildlife Service has been led since January 2009 Acting Director Rowan Gould.

“Holds” in the U.S. Senate on bills and nominations have become a kind of one-person filibuster. It is becoming difficult for any President to get anyone approved after his first round of major nominations. Ashe was held up not because of any controversy over his person, but over efforts by Republications to extract policy changes in exchange for allowing a vote.

As “Cody Coyote” wrote in a recent comment in this forum, one of the holds was by a Wyoming U.S. Senator John Barrasso trying to assure that the Service would delist the wolf in Wyoming.”

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Draw your own conclusions on why Ashe’s appointment was “held up”? Was it a quid pro quo to ensure Wyoming wolves would be delisted?

There is something very ugly going on @ USFWS concerning the delisting of gray wolves. Animals recently off the Endangered Species List are now being hunted, tortured, persecuted and slaughtered all with the approval of USFWS. Idaho and Montana have started their hunt/killing spree. Beginning October 1, 2012, Wyoming wolves lives will be worth nothing. I expect lawsuits to be filed against this horrific policy but that’s not the point. The fact USFWS would sign on to this after fighting it for years makes absolutely no sense. But nothing about ” wolf management” (a euphemism for wolf slaughter) passes the smell test. Everyday there is a new scheme to kill wolves. It’s never-ending. It’s mind numbing. It’s a repeat of the past. It’s sadistic.

Hard to believe this was all made possible by Obama, his rancher Interior Secretary and US Senate Democrats, who pushed through a delisting rider on the back of a must-pass budget bill. All those sanctimonious Democratswho bill themselves as “environmentally” friendly, had no problem throwing wolves in the Northern Rockies under the bus to help Senator Tester D-MT hold onto his Senate seat, as he panders to the wolf hating crowd back home in Montana.

Now the Great Lakes wolf population is under siege after they were unceremoniously delisted last year. Almost immediately Wisconsin and Minnesota came up with wolf hunt plans. Wisconsin wanted to chase wolves with dogs. Judge Peter C. Andersonput a stop to that, slapping a temporary injunction on the plan, preventing wolf hunters from using dogs. His ruling was in response to a legal challenge brought by several environmental groups under the premise that the state of Wisconsin was promoting dog fighting. Hopefully the judge’s injunction will stop the Wisconsin wolf hunts this season but the DNR is scrambling to make it happen anyway, minus the dogs.

Minnesota, the oh so pragmatic and fair state, is just as bad. For years their policy was a 5 years moratorium on wolf hunts if wolves were ever delisted in the state.

But lo and behold the Minnesota legislature changed that pretty quickly last year when wolf delisting was imminent. So much for tolerant Minnesota. Turns out they’re not so tolerant.

Michigan Rep. Huuki-R recently introduced a wolf hunt bill into the state House of Representatives, it looks like wolves will be given no quarter any where they call home.

If we don’t speak out now and turn the tide we’ll lose wolves once again in the lower 48. I’m not sure how many ways I can say this. I’ve written over seven hundred posts, in the last three years, on this tragedy. What will it take for citizens to finally wake up and realize we’re losing the iconic wolf, the very symbol of wildness and freedom we claim to hold so dear? How incredibly lucky we are to have intact ecosystems in the Northern Rockies with all apex predators represented. It’s one of the last vestiges of wildness remaining in the lower 48, yet we’re willing to let it slip away because a tiny majority of hateful people have decided the West and our wildlife belong to them, to dispose of as they see fit? Wake up America, we’re losing our heritage!!! Are we willing to let the inmates run the asylum? Or will we finally unite for a common purpose to save the gray wolf from the grimmest of fates? You decide!

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Wolves in Wyoming Go from Endangered to Hunted

(NEW YORK) — Federal and state officials are celebrating the successful return of once-endangered wolves to Wyoming — by declaring open season on the animals.

Beginning Oct. 1, gray wolves will be removed from the rolls of the Endangered Species Act and classified as predators, allowing Wyoming hunters to shoot the animals on sight at any time, for any reason, in about 85 percent of the state.

“Our primary goal, and that of the states, is to ensure that gray wolf populations in the Northern Rocky Mountains remain healthy, giving future generations of Americans the chance to hear its howl echo across the area,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe in a prepared statement.

Environmental groups that have gone to court over previous measures to de-list the wolves plan to fight the most recent change in the law, said Connie Wilbert, a field organizer for the Wyoming chapter of the Sierra Club.

Once killed nearly to extinction, in 1978 all species of the gray wolf in the lower 48 states were declared endangered and protected from hunting under federal law.

In the years since they received federal protection, wolf populations have returned across the West. As their numbers swelled, ranchers complained the animals routinely killed their livestock and petitioned the government for permission to kill them.

Removing wolves from the list would give ranchers in much of the state the right to kill wolves on sight. In other areas, wolves will be designated “trophy game” and subject to hunting during seasons regulated by the state.

Okay, now I have a major migraine. The conclusion that I came to after reading all 40+ pages (skipping over it id cf, ji19etc) and that all that hype, this government has knowingly broken the law. (Not the first, not the last). They are totally corrupt and only in it for how much they can make. As I read it, I felt like I was watching a bunch governmental low lives throwing around a couple of dozen of oranges in all direction, each orange twisting a simple word such as; if, or, is,…. trying to make their arguments feasible. The Defenders of Wildlife is so very clear on the legal, lawful protection of the wolf. The EPA is clear, period. These government officials don’t want and will not listen to the scientist and/or proven scientific data. I don’t know about anyone else, but with these government officials in the pockets of the backwood bozos and greedy companies, I don’t sleep well at night. Who could?

So “well said” Nebeki, is there anyone out there anyway this article can be published in several major and minor newspapers??? I will help with mailing, etc…People do care but they really just don’t know what is going on and among those many will believe the propaganda…but it is important to try to get this into mainstream media outlets…How?!? Will PETA pick up this fight, or any group? Are they all really too politically correct?!? What about Living with Wolves, who has money, movie tie-ins, and connection to Biden??? Anyone anywhere – the American Indian Nation council??? Anyone?!

The Western Democrat – is it a different species? Not one of the original democrats, where did it originate, Canada?

The smoke-and-mirrors is continually ridiculous – I can’t believe that this is such a huge thing everywhere wolves reside. It’s so extreme – I was even reading about the Chippewa tribe in WI wanted to protect wolves on their land during the upcoming hunt. The head of the DNR informed them, to paraphrase, “we have no mechanism for protecting them in the current law, just hunting them” so the spin on all the articles is “75 wolves reserved for the Chippewa to hunt”! Just so dishonest and low. It’s nuts! It really saddens me.

And then a recent paper written entitled “Are we in danger of sanctifying the wolf” by Dr. Mech. (He’s a scientist! It will have some clout! But only further in the paper does he say that they are neither saint nor sinner) Is hunting them with dogs sanctifying them, is blaming them for digging up early settlers graves sanctifying them? (Yes, a sheep rancher in one of the Western states names Cat “implored” people in her interview to try to understand why the wolves have such a bad reputation and used early settlers’ graverobbing as an example)and condescended to the wolf advocates by saying something along the lines of “the poor dears, they think of this animal as spiritual, they don’t know any better) I think the paper should have been entitled “Are we in danger of overly villifying the wolf with our 16th century mentality.” It’s just another in the long line of anti-wolf propaganda.

Bobette…Do you mean concerning Wyoming? Yes, I’m sure they will and other groups as well, this will not go unchallenged but it’s still disturbing the USFWS signed onto this massacre when they fought it for so many years. I just hope whoever hears this case, Judge Molloy? that they will grant an injunction to stop the killing until the case is litigated.

Look how at first they were saying there are too many wolves and they are eating all the elk. Now that they can exterminate wolves, they now say there are too many elk. Either we got some severely mentally challenged people in the government, or they are crack heads, or they are once again putting special interests over the public and the health of wildlife. Obama, Ken Salazar, and several politicians need to be kicked out of office this year!

I wish I could be there :( I do not make a habit of sending Hymns nor Gospel lyrics, but this touched me. I thought of Our Wolves, Big Cats and Planet. A dear friend emailed this to me. Most of the lyrics remind me of Our ongoing Battle for these Beautiful Creatures.

When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When the storms of life are raging,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When the world is tossing me
Like a ship upon the sea
Thou Who rulest wind and water,
Stand by me (stand by me).

In the midst of tribulation,
Stand by me (stand by me);
In the midst of tribulation,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When the hosts of hell assail,
And my strength begins to fail,
Thou Who never lost a battle,
Stand by me (stand by me).

In the midst of faults and failures,
Stand by me (stand by me);
In the midst of faults and failures,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When I do the best I can,
And my friends misunderstand,
Thou Who knowest all about me,
Stand by me (stand by me).

In the midst of persecution,
Stand by me (stand by me);
In the midst of persecution,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When my foes in battle array
Undertake to stop my way,
Thou Who savèd Paul and Silas,
Stand by me (stand by me).

When I’m growing old and feeble,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When I’m growing old and feeble,
Stand by me (stand by me);
When my life becomes a burden,
And I’m nearing chilly Jordan,
O Thou “Lily of the Valley,”
Stand by me (stand by me).

DEAR NABEKI! SORRY FOR THIS EMAIL…I RESPECT EVERY PROWOLF,EVERY WOLF ADVOCATES…BUT I SAY WHAT I FEEL… I WAS ALWAYS PROAMERICAIN, WHEN I WAS STUDENT,TOO.THIS TIME(1977,1978,1979) IT WAS DANGEROUS IN HUNGARY. I HAVE HAD LOT OF PROBLEM ABOUT THIS WITH MY FRIENDS.BUT I LEFT HUNGARY BECAUSE THE LIBERTY WAS SO IMPORTANT TO ME.LATER I WAS IN LAS VEGAS. I FOUND AMERICAIN PEOPLES ARE SUPER,OF COURSE IN LAS VEGAS IT’S NORMAL.IN HUDSON,TOO. BUT NOW I’M WOLF ADVOCAT AND SORRY AGAIN BUT I BEGIN TO HATE YOUR COUNTRY…I HATE,I DON’T UNDERSTAND THAT DIRTY MENTALITY ABOUT AMERICAIN WILD ANIMALS. I NEVER FOREVER DON’T COME BACK IN USA. I DON’T WANT TO SPEND MY MONEY IN USA. JEAN DE FRANCE AND HIM WIFE WAS IN QUEBEC IN AUGUST AND THEY TOLD TO ME WOLVES ARE PROTECT THERE….I DON’T BELIEVE. THEY SAID THE MENTALITY IS DIFFERENT THERE….THEY WAS IN TORONTO AND IN OTHERS TOWNS,TOO. WHEN JEAN ASKED SOMETHINGS FROM AMERICAIN PEOPLES…THEY TURNED THEY HEAD…THEY WAS VERY BAD,PRETANTIOUS,STUPIDE.SORRY FOR ALL BUT I CHANGED MY IDEA ABOUT USA. I’M NOT PROAMERICAIN ANYMORE…I WISH WITH ALL MY HEART obama will LOSE! I NEVER HATE ANY AMERICAIN PRESIDENT,LIKE HIM.ALL AMERICAIN PEOPLES WHO HATE WILD ANIMALS DON’T KNOW WHICH CHANCE HAVE TO HAVE THESE SO BEAUTIFUL WILD ANIMALS…. I CAN’T UNDERSTAND THAT… IT’S NOT NORMAL THIS DIRTY MENTALITY ABOUT WILD ANIMALS…AND MY SO DEAR WOLVES! I CRY ALWAYS WHEN I COME ON YOUR BLOG…BUT I COME EVERYDAY. YOU LET ME KNOW WHAT HAPPEN IN USA ABOUT WILD ANIMALS.I LOVE ALL…BUT I’M LOVING SO MUCH WOLVES…I SAW 133 DEATH OR MORE…AND WE ARE ONLY IN OCTOBER…I’M VERY DESPERATE. GOD BLESS YOU AND ALL WOLVES! I NEVER FORGET LIMPY,ROMEO,BEAUTIFUL BOY AND OTHER WOLVES WITH ONLY NUMBER LIKE POOR AND WONDERFUL 341F AND OTHERS KILLED WOLVES,WITHOUT NOTHINGS…..I’M SICKING WHEN I THINK ALL ABOUT… YOU ARE MY SO DEAR FRIEND!

This blog is dedicated to the memory of Wolf 253, the beloved Yellowstone Druid wolf named Limpy, who was shot and killed in March 08, on the very day ESA protections were lifted for the gray wolf, by the then Bush Administration.